Any time Adam Oates was asked about John Tortorella throughout the first round of the playoffs, he’d answer with short, terse responses.

If it wasn’t clear then the disdain Oates had for the New York Rangers’ fiery coach, it is now.

Oates was a guest on the LaVar and Dukes Show on 106.7 The Fan on Thursday and took issue with Tortorella’s assertion that “everybody and their brother” in Washington is whining about the officiating in the first round.

“Well, I think he’s out of line,” Oates said. “He should be worried about his own series. We didn’t whine once during the series. I never complained.”

Alex Ovechkin began the avalanche of criticism when he questioned the officiating after the Capitals were eliminated in Game 7 Monday night, saying that maybe the league wanted the series to go the distance for additional revenue.

On Wednesday Capitals general manager George McPhee fueled that fire by saying Ovechkin “wasn’t wrong.”

And when Tortorella chimed into the conversation, Oates apparently had heard enough. In fact, when LaVar Arrington asked Oates if he could beat up Tortorella, Oates replied, “Yes. Easily.”

And just think. These two coaches will be in the same division next season.